Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.